The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, held delegation-level talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in New Delhi, marking a significant step in strengthening the India-France strategic partnership.
The high-level meeting, which was part of Macron’s three-day visit to India, aimed at furthering cooperation in key areas such as defence, space, and nuclear energy.
France Commits to Enhancing Defence Ties
At the talks, Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to strengthening its defence partnership with India, a move seen as a boost to India’s efforts to modernise its military.
The two leaders also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, a critical area of focus for India’s foreign policy.
‘France and India are natural partners in the Indo-Pacific, and we will continue to work together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,’ Macron said.
Modi too welcomed Macron’s commitment to strengthening defence ties and expressed India’s willingness to work closely with France in this area.
India and France have been strengthening their defence ties in recent years, with a focus on co-development and co-production of military hardware.
Some of the key defence cooperation agreements signed between the two countries include the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets and the establishment of a joint venture to manufacture Scorpene submarines.
Nuclear Energy and Space Cooperation on the Agenda
During the talks, the two leaders also discussed cooperation in the areas of nuclear energy and space.
India and France are working together on a number of nuclear energy projects, including the construction of a nuclear power plant in Jaitapur, Maharashtra.
The project, which is expected to generate 10,000 MW of electricity, is seen as a major step forward in India’s efforts to increase its nuclear energy capacity.
Modi and Macron also discussed cooperation in space, with a focus on joint research and development of space technologies.
The two countries have been collaborating on a number of space projects, including the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send an Indian astronaut to space by 2024.
What’s Next for India-France Ties?
The talks between Modi and Macron marked a significant step forward in strengthening India-France ties, and there are several areas where the two countries can build on this momentum.
One key area of focus will be defence cooperation, with the two countries working closely together to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
India and France will also continue to cooperate in the areas of nuclear energy and space, with a focus on joint research and development of new technologies.
The visit by Macron is seen as a major boost to India’s efforts to strengthen its international relationships, and it is expected to have a positive impact on India’s foreign policy agenda.
As the two countries continue to deepen their strategic partnership, Indians can expect to see a range of new initiatives and cooperation agreements in the coming months.